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NELAP Assessor Training Courses

Basic Assessor Training

October 31 - November 2, 2017
Topeka, Kansas

Course Description:

This course provides examples and a basic understanding of the assessment processes, within the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) framework. The basic principles for assessing environmental laboratories are presented. A summary of the 2009 TNI Environmental Laboratory standards and practical examples for implementation of assessment techniques are an integral portion of this training course.

The rationale for assessing must be based on proven quality principals that allow the determination of adherence to the defined system.  The system standards used during this course are the TNI Environmental Laboratory 2009 standard, and the ISO/IEC 17025 “General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories” standard. Conducting an assessment of a laboratory system using quality principles and techniques allows personnel with a basic science background to assess operations and assure conformance to the stated management system.

The course presents the fundamentals of how to assess laboratories. These fundamentals include:

  • Understanding the difference between assessments, audits, registration and accreditation
  • Effective auditing tips and techniques
  • How to: write findings; prepare and present the assessment report and evaluate findings from laboratories
  • Evaluating laboratory corrective action programs and customer notification requirements.

The course also provides personnel with guidance on assessing quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) requirements to acquire technically and legally defensible environmental data from laboratory operations. The list of references provided in the course materials will further your understanding and provide specific information.

This class does not address the 2016 TNI standard.

Click here for a PDF containing more information about the course agenda, course notes, what to bring to class, information about the venue, and certificates and CEUs.


Intended Audience:

  • Quality Assurance Personnel
  • Laboratory Assessors

Cost:

$650 per person for Federal, State and Local Governments
$550 per person for Kansas State Public Health employees
$850 per person for all others
$100.00 discount if you bring your own hardcopy of the printed materials. Materials include: 2009 TNI Environmental Laboratory Standard Volumes 1 and 2 with ISO language, checklist, exercises and other materials provided prior to the course for students to print and bring to class

Prerequisite: Students must read the 2009 TNI EL Standard before coming to class. A pretest will be given at the start of class to ensure the students familiarity with these standards.

Bring to Class: Hard copy of the 2009 TNI Environmental Laboratory Standard Volume 1 and Volume 2 and Checklist and other class materials.  Materials are emailed to you prior to the start of the class.  Each student not requesting the discounted fee will be emailed the materials and a printed copy presented at the start of class. The discounted fee is for students printing and bringing their own copies of the standard, checklist, and other materials to class. Computer use during the exams is not allowed.

Students should come to class knowing the contents of the TNI standard in order to successfully complete the course.


Format:
Seminar

Start Date:
Tuesday 31st October 2017, 8:00am CST

Length:
3 days

Presented By:


Marlene Moore

About the Presenter:
Marlene Moore founded Advanced Systems, Inc. in February 1992 as a consulting company specializing in quality systems for laboratory and sampling operations. She brings together the needs of quality system management, measurement operations and regulatory compliance.

Marlene Moore has worked and managed sampling and testing laboratories for over twenty years before providing her expertise to others. Current work includes assessing for laboratory accreditation programs to ISO/IEC 17025 and assessing to ISO/IEC 17065 for conformity assessment certification programs. Assessments are performed for A2LA, ANAB and ANSI. Additional assessor and auditor training was completed under the EPA Safe Drinking Water Program for State certification laboratory auditors for inorganic, organic and microbiology and as an ISO auditor for ISO 9000. Formerly an RAB ASQ/ANSI registered auditor.